SBA Introduces New Online Portal for 2012 National Small Business Week Awards Nominations

SBA Introduces New Online Portal for 2012 National Small Business Week Awards Nominations

 WASHINGTON – A new online portal has been launched by the U.S. Small Business Administration to accept nominations for its 2013 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year award.

The dedicated web portal, accessible at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/, will make it easier to submit and track submissions of nominees for Small Business Week 2013, and is now actively accepting nominations of noteworthy small businesses.

“The National Small Business Week Awards program is a great way for us to recognize the best of the best in small business ownership,” said SBA South Florida District Director Francisco “Pancho” Marrero.  “I encourage all South Florida small business owners to consider submitting a nomination for these national awards as well as our own South Florida District Small Business Awards.”

Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy.  In 2013, the 50th year celebration will honor the nation’s 27 million small businesses.

SBA Awards given in celebration of National Small Business Week include the following awards:

·         National Small Business Person of the Year (chosen from among state award winners from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam)

·         Phoenix Awards (recognizing outstanding accomplishments during disaster recovery)

·         Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year

·         Small Business Subcontractor of the Year

·         The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence (recognizes large prime contractors who have used small businesses as suppliers and contractors)

·         SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year (for recent graduates of the SBA’s 8(a) contracting program)

·         Small Business Development Center (SBDC)Excellence and Innovation Award (nominations of SBA-funded SBDC Service Centers)

·         Women’s Business Center (WBCs) of Excellence Award (nominations of SBA-funded WBCs)

·         Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award (nominations of SBA-funded Veterans Business Outreach Centers)

In addition to the portal, nominations can also be sent directly to SBA District Offices, which can be located online at http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-list/2.  All nominations must be submitted or postmarked to the SBA by January 3, 2013.

Winners of the Small Business Person of the Year awards and winners in the other award categories will be invited to Washington, D.C., to compete for national titles and to attend National Small Business Week events in 2013.